Research Associate I

University of Miami; Miami, Northern (FL, KY); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS) at the University of Miami is seeking a full-time Research Associate I to work on machine learning methods for estimating surface winds within tropical cyclones and to develop real-time products for testing by the National Hurricane Center.

The role includes using HAFS with diverse data inputs, evaluating forecasts, managing data with Python, and publishing results at meetings and in journals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Meteorology or Atmospheric Science.
• Familiarity with tropical cyclone reconnaissance data and ML applications.
• Experience running and tuning hurricane models in HPC environments.
• Proficiency in Python and JavaScript.

Responsibilities

• Development, testing, and evaluation of machine learning techniques trained on data gathered within TCs.
• Using the NOAA Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System (HAFS) with various data input sources to evaluate Verification of HAFS forecasts.
• Responsible and effective use of high-performance computing environments.
• Data management and visualization using modern programming languages (e.g., Python).
• Processing complex data to produce easily understandable results.
• Interpret and publish results in progress reports and peer reviewed literature.
• Present the results at meetings and conferences.

Skills

Tropical cyclone reconnaissance data

Machine learning

Python

JavaScript

High-performance computing

NOAA hurricane models familiarity

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Meteorology or Atmospheric Science

Tools

HAFS

NOAA operational hurricane models

Job description

The Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS) of the University of Miami (UM) is currently seeking applicants for a full-time Research Associate I position.

The successful candidate will participate in research projects that use data from crewed and uncrewed TC reconnaissance missions to improve analysis and prediction of TCs. The first primary focus will be to develop machine learning methods to accurately estimate surface winds within the TC when they are otherwise not available. Candidates should be prepared to develop real-time products to be delivered to the National Hurricane Center for testing and evaluation. A second primary focus will be to quantify the impact of various crewed and uncrewed observing systems on analyses and forecasts of TCs. The candidate will work closely with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML).

• Development, testing, and evaluation of machine learning techniques trained on data gathered within TCs
• Using the NOAA Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System (HAFS) with various data input sources to evaluate Verification of HAFS forecasts
• Responsible and effective use of high-performance computing environments
• Data management and visualization using modern programming languages (e.g., Python)
• Processing complex data to produce easily understandable results
• Interpret and publish results in progress reports and peer reviewed literature
• Present the results at meetings and conferences

• Qualified candidates must possess a bachelor’s in Meteorology or Atmospheric Science.
• Demonstrated familiarity with tropical cyclone reconnaissance data, proficiency in machine learning applications, and running and tuning hurricane models in high-performance computing environments is also required.
• Familiarity with NOAA operational hurricane models is also desirable, as is proficiency in Python and JavaScript.

Job Status: Full time Employee Type: Staff

The University of Miami is recognized as one of the nation’s premier research institutions and academic health systems and is among the largest employers in South Florida. With more than 20,000 faculty and staff, the University is committed to excellence and guided by a mission to positively impact the lives of students, patients, and communities locally and globally.

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The mission of the University of Miami is to transform lives through education, research, innovation, and service. A vibrant and diverse academic and healthcare community, the University of Miami and the University of Miami Health System ("UHealth") have rapidly progressed to become one of the nation’s top research universities and academic medical centers in the nation.

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The University of Miami and UHealth have also ranked among the Forbes Best Employers and Best Employers for Women on several occasions, most recently in 2022. With more than 17,000 faculty and staff, the University strives for excellence, and is driven by a powerful mission to transform and impact the lives of its students, patients, members of the community, and people across the globe.

The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law.